Pak-IMF talks enter conclusive stage

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan- International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission talks on 8th review of the extended fund facility (EFF) underway in Dubai for the last one week have entered conclusive phase. Finance Minister Senator Ishaq Dar joined talks with the IMF on Tuesday for disbursement of over $500 million worth of next installment of the $6.2 billion programme. Pakistan has already received over $4bn out of the $6.2bn programme which is to be concluded in 36 months by September next year, a statement of the Ministry of Finance said on Thursday. Pakistan is also now seeking conversion of quarterly performance reviews into biannual assessments with a view to implementing structural reforms, primarily in the energy sector. During the course of discussion, the Finance Minister briefed the IMF team about current state of Pakistan's economy, measures the government has undertaken to broaden the tax net and enhancing tax to GDP ratio. He shared with the IMF team, the government's focus on the income support programme. He also informed the IMF delegation about the government's resolve for settlement of TDPs and special allocation made for the purpose in budget 2015-16. Harald Finger is leading the IMF team while Finance Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar is heading the Pakistani delegation at the talks.